Theme 5: Systems

Greenhouse Gas Balances

Roeder et al, “Climate change impacts and related emission uncertainties”, International Bioenergy Conference, Manchester 2017

Emissions

• Start to full load: 7.6 mg/m3 • Normal combustion state: <0.4

mg/m3

• Factor of 19 difference

Harvey, A., & Xhang, K., University of Newcastle

Models predict UK residential wood combustion to increase by a factor of 14 between 1990 and 2030, with heating stoves and fireplaces significant technologies.

Figures from Mitchell et al. Atmospheric Environment 2017. Data from DECC 2015 Sub‐national Residual Fuel Consumption in the United Kingdom, 2005‐2013; Emissions factors from the EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme ) and GAINS (Greenhouse gas and Air Pollution Information and Simulation) databases

Residential sector 25% of GHG emissions

55% of RHI heat from biomass 2014‐2016

Solid fuels used for supplementary heating

(up to 64%). Evenings & weekends

200K stoves sold in 2014, up 21% from 2005; 67% multifuel

UK Biomass Heating development

1. Technology Options • Replacement of older stoves/open fires with Eco/modern designs and/or pellet

boilers – incentivising via heat metering for small, domestic use? 2. Operation/load factor strongly influences particulate and other emissions –

implications for • Heat storage • Sizing of boilers • Education of users – behavioural changes and optimisation of operating

conditions. 3. Fuel quality

• Fuel switching to briquettes or pellets; Seasoned logs. Behavioural changes. • Pretreatment via torrefaction • Pretreatment via washing; Use of additives etc

4. Post combustion abatement • ESPs, filters, catalyst – uptake is low • (low temperature plasma) can reduce particulates and change size distribution

5. Measurement Methods • Variation between different standard test methods for measuring emissions

from a very variable source introduces uncertainties when comparing different studies.

Reduction of Emissions from Domestic Wood Combustion

Breakthroughs: International development

•Agri-residues •Field burning •Network mapping

Mae Minas et al, “Rice Straw for Bioenergy”, International Bioenergy Conference, Manchester, 2017

Habitat Recreation Pasture

Guo, M., Richter, G. M., Holland, R. A., Eigenbrod, F., Taylor, G., & Shah, N. (2016). Implementing land-use and ecosystem service effects into an integrated bioenergy value chain optimisation framework. Computers and Chemical Engineering, 91, 392–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compchemeng.2016.02.011

Trade-offs between bioenergy and other natural capital

• Challenge of spatial planning for biomass production in the UK

• Knowledge gaps and technical challenges

• But a questions that must be addressed at a global level.

Going forward

• Do existing GHG accounting frameworks work?

• How could we measure the environmental and social sustainability of biomass?

• How to create a sustainable/reliable/resilient market for BECCS?

• Engaging with/interpreting agricultural policy and helping response to brexit.

• Development of sustainable and economic viable route for high value bioproducts